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Guardian journalist Simon Hoggart dies Guardian journalist Simon Hoggart dies
(about 2 hours later)
Guardian journalist Simon Hoggart has died aged 67 from pancreatic cancer, the newspaper has confirmed.Guardian journalist Simon Hoggart has died aged 67 from pancreatic cancer, the newspaper has confirmed.
Hoggart, who died on Sunday, was also known for presenting Radio 4's The News Quiz for 10 years up until 2006.Hoggart, who died on Sunday, was also known for presenting Radio 4's The News Quiz for 10 years up until 2006.
The Guardian's editor, Alan Rusbridger, said: "Simon was a terrific reporter and columnist - and a great parliamentary sketch writer."The Guardian's editor, Alan Rusbridger, said: "Simon was a terrific reporter and columnist - and a great parliamentary sketch writer."
Hoggart wrote political sketches for the Guardian, and a column on wine for the Spectator.Hoggart wrote political sketches for the Guardian, and a column on wine for the Spectator.
Rusbridger added: "He wrote with mischief and a sometimes acid eye about the theatre of politics. But he wrote from a position of sophisticated knowledge and respect for Parliament.Rusbridger added: "He wrote with mischief and a sometimes acid eye about the theatre of politics. But he wrote from a position of sophisticated knowledge and respect for Parliament.
"A daily reading of his sketch told you things about the workings of Westminster which no news story could ever convey. He will be much missed by readers and his colleagues.""A daily reading of his sketch told you things about the workings of Westminster which no news story could ever convey. He will be much missed by readers and his colleagues."
'King Lear''King Lear'
The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson described Hoggart as "a giant amongst political commentators".
"Few could match his wit and wisdom. He often laughed at politicians. He sometimes laughed with them. However, he never ever sneered at them," he added.
Hoggart gave up his Saturday column for the newspaper in December following complications from his condition and another round of chemotherapy.Hoggart gave up his Saturday column for the newspaper in December following complications from his condition and another round of chemotherapy.
His final article, a review of the year, appeared on 19 December.His final article, a review of the year, appeared on 19 December.
Hoggart was diagnosed with terminal cancer three and a half years ago. He died at the Royal Marsden hospital in London.Hoggart was diagnosed with terminal cancer three and a half years ago. He died at the Royal Marsden hospital in London.
He joined the Guardian straight from university and first began his sketches in the 1970s - he resumed this work in 1993 after a 12-year-stint at the Observer. He grew up in Hull and Leicester before joining the Guardian straight from university and first began his sketches there in the 1970s - he resumed this work in 1993 after a 12-year-stint at the Observer.
Hoggart also published 20 books and took part in many radio and TV programmes.Hoggart also published 20 books and took part in many radio and TV programmes.
Guardian colleague Michael White said Hoggart "remained determined not to give up, nor to let his illness become widely known lest it detract from the laughter he always sought to generate".Guardian colleague Michael White said Hoggart "remained determined not to give up, nor to let his illness become widely known lest it detract from the laughter he always sought to generate".
His Guardian review of the year published on 19 December included the death of Margaret Thatcher, the birth of Prince George and the resurrection of the idea of leaving the EU. Conservative MP Michael Fabricant, a regular target of Hoggart's sketches, said: "Such sad news. He teased me mercilessly but always kindly."
Referring to his time at the helm of the News Quiz, his Radio 4 colleague Corrie Corfield also paid tribute: "Like to think that somewhere rather special Simon Hoggart is now being told to get a move on by Alan Coren, with lovely Linda Smith laughing."
Hoggart's Guardian review of the year included the death of Margaret Thatcher, the birth of Prince George and the resurrection of the idea of leaving the EU.
He rarely mentioned being ill, although in a November column he wrote: "I've been off sick for the past week or so. It's a weird experience being at home, alone for the most part - like being a goldfish in a bowl of treacle, moving slowly and largely pointlessly. Much of the time I have felt too ill to read anything, so I watch daytime television. A lot of it is hypnotising."
He never shied away from fierce criticism of politicians - in a recent sketch, he described shadow Chancellor Ed Balls as sounding "like King Lear, raging against the storm that was blowing outside".He never shied away from fierce criticism of politicians - in a recent sketch, he described shadow Chancellor Ed Balls as sounding "like King Lear, raging against the storm that was blowing outside".
And in his final sketch, he wrote that "David Cameron smiled like the Cheshire Cat after a large sherry".
Hoggart lampooned many government heavyweights over the years, including the former deputy prime minister John Prescott and gleefully reported on Mr Prescott's performances when he took Prime Minister's Question Time in Tony Blair's absence.
The writer gleefully described Gordon Brown's smile by writing that it looked "as if the nodding dog in a car was channelling the Joker".
He also once described John Redwood as "not a space alien, but a nerd, a school swot, the kind of chap who gets too interested in his subject. I used to expect him to appear in the chamber wearing short pants with a sliderule down his socks".